Once you are looked after, there will be regular reviews of your care plan

Your first review will be held within the first four weeks of you being looked after

The next review will be three months after your first review

Reviews are then held at least every six months until we no longer look after you.

It is sometimes important to bring forward the date of your next review if things change in your life. You can contact your Independent Reviewing Officer to ask for an early review if you think this is a good idea.

Your Independent Reviewing Officer may also decide to call an early review to discuss your care plan if there have been told about important changes concerning your future.

Before every review, your social worker should

meet with you to help you prepare and think about what will be discussed

help you complete your written contribution so that your Independent Reviewing Officer knows what your views are and what you think is important to talk about at your meeting

provide a written report for your review

inform you about what they have said in their report about your progress and the plans being made for your future.

Help with the review process

If your first language is not English, your social worker can arrange for an interpreter to come to your review. If you have any speech or hearing difficulties, your social worker will make sure you get the support you need.

Seeing family and friends

You, your social worker and the people looking after you will decide when, where and how you will see and keep in touch with your family and friends. Your feelings and wishes will be listened to before we make arrangements for contact. Any decision will always be made in your best interests.

For a small number of children, contact may be limited or stopped by a court order. If you aren't happy with any of the arrangements, tell someone.

Pocket money

You will get regular pocket money. For more information, contact your social worker or the people looking after you.

The people looking after you will get money to spend on things like:

your clothes

outings and activities

holidays

visiting family and friends.

We recommend how much this should be in foster homes. In a community home and in some foster families, you might get a smaller amount to save up extra money for outings, holidays and Christmas. The people looking after you will be able to explain how this is worked out. You must always have a say on how your money is spent.

Disagreeing with the plans

Social workers want to make decisions about your life with your help. At times you may disagree with them. They must consider your wishes and feelings, and put your welfare before anything else.

If you are unhappy about something to do with your care plan, the placement arrangements or your review, you should first talk to your social worker or Independent Reviewing Officer. They should be able to help you. If you are still unhappy after this, you may wish to contact other people or teams, such as the Children's Rights Service.